Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-07-21
PARTED BY DEATH.
SAD ENDING TO A ROMANCE III RxAL
LIFE.
Meeting After Many Years Of Separation
Preparations for a Grand We'd
dinR-A Crushing Blow.
Now York Hnraid-l

,H' Bt'o'ht Btucidtipn 'huS
to a dramatic end in one OF the parlors
of the Aston House on Saturday after
noon. Two Of the best known and
highly respected families OF Boston are
tie Crowninshields and Stones, and
their children, now grown to manhood
and womanhood, were playmates to-
gether, IN close fellowship at the
kindergarten, and their elders were
fond Of fostering the intimacy
as the period of youth was passed.
Among the young ladies of this har-
monious circle was Florence Stone,
who was at twenty beautiful in face
and graceful in figure. She unre-
servedly gave her heart TO the hero of
her childhood, the hanasomest of the
CrowDinshields--a tall, manly six
footer and veritable athlete. After
brief engagement there was a tiff. OF
It's character nothing is known save TO
the contracting parties; but there was
a separation and Mr.. Crowninshield
took up his residence in Europe.
Finally Mr.. Crowninshield, with his
accomplished sister, settled down in
London, and at once entered the high
est social circles of the capital, the
latter marrying into the British peer
age, where she now holds broad sway
IS one OF the queens of the aristOcracy.
Her brother not long after married an
estimable lady, 10y whom he had three
children. Happiness reigned in his
household. and his material pros
peTity kept pace with his house
hold Joy, and he soon counted
himself many times millionaire.
But his wife did not long survive
the birth OF her third child, and the
widOwer was left to care for his young
children ana his widely scattered posses
.ions. Among them was piece OF
property in the Northwest Territory,
valued at several hundred thousand dol
lars. So he came to the United States
to look after his interests here.
Ky the merest chance he met his
former sweetheart, Florence Stone,
and finding that, unlike himself, she
had remained true to her attachment,
and physically and mentally she had
matured into a noble specimen OF
a woman. he again laid his station and
bis fortune at her feet and was again
accepted. Following the announce
ment OF the engagement Mr.. Crownin-
shield went West TO perfect the title to
bis great purchases of land, but he
found that in order to complete 1t a
Journey to Calcutta would be neces-
sary, particularly in order to obtain
the sworn testimony of the only living
witness who could substantiate the re-
cord.
TEE FATAL JOURNEY.
Before sailing from New York elabo-
rate preparations were made for the
wedding, which was to be one OF the
most imposing ceremonials ever cele-
hrated at that aristocratic marital shrine,
It. Georges chapel, London, and the
trousseau was ordered from the most
celebrated establishments of Paris.
Mr.. CrGwninshield finally left America
with light heart, full of his coming
marriage. On his arrival in Lon
don he wrote to Miss Stone, direct
ing her to invite not only all
her family to the wedding, but
as many of her friends as she might
choose in America, and to select state
rooms for them on the Cunard steamer
then to sail, and to permit no one to
expend nickel from the time OF their
departure from New York until they
should again set foot on American soil.
He then took Peninsular and Oriental
steamship from Liverpool, arrived at
Calcutta. perfected the title to his
American property, and started on his
homeward Journey to England.
Miss Stone, as directed, emit red into
the spirit of all the details of what was
to be the most important event OF her
life. She appointed the wedding to
take place ut ST. Georges chapel IN the
first days of August. and Mr.. Crownln-
shields sister took charge OF all the
preparations in London. Oyerfifty in
vitations were issued and accepted by
the American friends Of the couple to
90 to England, and passages were
secured for them on the Cunard steam
or Etruria, to sail next Saturday.
Many of the guests arc now in this city.
1t was determined to make the affair
the most notable one of the kind III
| ondon's history, and the toilets OF
those who were to have sailed on Sat
urdav are described as having been long
in preparation and of costly and elabo-
rate character.
So determined was the bridegroom
that erything should run smoothly
that he sent his confidential friend and
agent, Mr. Hull. to New York to SUI
porintend all details, look after the
affairs of Miss Stone, and finally act IN
n business way as her escort to Lon
don. She was given a cdrt6 6tdnche,
and orders for unstinted liberality were
particularly commanded by Mr. Crow
ninshield.
4 THREATENING OMEN.
On Saturday morning last Miss Stone
accompanied by Mr.. Hull, visited theil
bankers. Fer purpose was to have
some drafts cashed. While she wa
iransacting her business she noticed
that Mr.. Hull had received severa
cableerams, that his face had assumed
an ashen pallor, and that he was in cloS'
and confidential conference with the
head of the house. She began to fee
very uneasy and knew that sonethlns
important had happened. Mr.. HUI
conducted her in silence to the Asto
House and secured private parlor
and this is what happened.
| THE DESoUEAENT.
Mr.. Hull drew out the first cablegran
and said he had some very disagree
able news to communicate. 1T read
Mr.. Crowninshield very i'll.